Robson Square not yet the celebrated heart of Vancouver it's designed to be - Action News
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Robson Square not yet the celebrated heart of Vancouver it's designed to be

The 800 block of Robson Street is supposed to be a vibrant gathering place, but the city hasn't even finished designing it.

The City's vision for the permanent plaza won't be fully implemented until 2019

A pedestrian walks through the 800 block of Robson Street. The city says the plaza isn't finished yet. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

When Vancouver city council approved permanently closing 800 Robson Street to vehicle traffic inApril 2016, it envisioned a vibrant space where people would gather, sit back and relax.

But even on a nice day in January, sun-deprived Vancouveritesdon't sprawl out on the plaza in partbecause there is no place to sit.

The square is not yet complete. It's expected the permanent plaza will be complete in 2019. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

Sisters JoniMcPhailandMarianeDavis meetfor a quick coffee before McPhail, who lives in Toronto, has to head to the airport. The two sit down on aconcrete bench located at the footsteps of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

There hasbeen a rotation of temporary seating fromgiant white bean-bag chairsand yellow and greenbenches, to thecolourful Porch Parade.

The problem is, the city had to remove the last round of tables and chairsbecause people kept stealing them.

Sisters Joni McPhail (left) and Mariane Davis (right) meet for coffee at the footsteps of the Vancouver Art Gallery, a spot they say they don't typically come to. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

The plaza, as it was proposed, has notcome to fruition and isn't expected tountil 2019.

"Right now we are in the design phase of creating a permanent plaza at that location," said MargaretWittgens, director ofpublic space and street use with the City of Vancouver's engineering department.

That phase would include permanent street furniture which can't be stolen in addition to landscaping and lighting.

City of Vancouver says on a busy day 2,500 pass by the 800 block of Robson Street in one hour. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

While the site hasn't reached its maximum potential, overthe yearsit has been home tospecial events,film setsanda giant Christmas tree that has routinely served as the backdrop for many selfies.

But day to day, it's mostly frequented bypedestrians and cyclists who are passing by.

During its busiest hour,2,500 people pass through the area, according to Wittgens.

The is no permanent seating at the plaza yet, because people kept stealing the furniture. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

The street was firstclosed in 2010in order to create a gathering space for pedestrians during the Olympics. It has also been closedforannual public art installations.

In 2012councillorsasked city staffto investigate a permanent closure of the block and a report noted thatturning the street into a public plaza would be in keeping with architect Arthur Erickson's original design for the Robson Square complex from 40 years ago.

The concept renderings for the plaza show street furniture and landscaping. (City of Vancouver)

Despitethe lack of seating, the city approvedthe operation of food trucks that nowdrawthousands of people to the area.

Jim Mustard swings bytwo to three times a month to graba bite at one of thefood trucks.

"Closing of the streetis irrelevant to me, it neither adds nor detracts for the reason forme being here," said Mustard.

"There never was a lot of traffic through the plaza in any case," he said.

Thai food truck operator Aree Rakkiat say the unlicensed vendors selling marijuana around the area are harming business. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

The area is more lively in the summer months, especially with artists and buskerswho don't require a citya permit to work orperform.

And food truck operatorssay business has improved ever since the area turned into a traffic-free pedestrian space, although they note thatmarijuana vendors have a negative effect.

On a sunny weekend, there can be up to 40 marijuana vendors that set up tables to sell a variety of productsfrom joints to edibles.

The 800 block of Robson Street has long been a place for artists and buskers. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

"The way things are, it's like we're in hell,really,"said Alistair Fitzgerald, owner ofSauzzyThai food.

Fitzgeraldhas been operating at thesite for three years but says he often closes early because theweedsmoketurnscustomers away.

Plus, he said it's unfair thathe has to pay $1,000 a yearfor a licencewhile pot sellers don't.

Unlicensed vendors daily sell marijuana along the 800 block of Robson St. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

DavidLabadiesells marijuana edibles just a few metres away and says he's approached the city to request a permit, but was refused.

"It's not as if we haven't tried or aren't willing to play by the rules, but they won't allow us to, so we have to make our own [rules]," he said.

During a press conferenceearlier this month, Vancouver MayorGregorRobertson expressed his concern about the unlicensed vendors.

"That's a situation we have to deal with," he said.

Willie who lives on the streets says he has been coming to the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery almost every day for the past nine years, just to kick back and take in the scene. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)